PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE COMMISSION · 4. Emergency Traffic Stoppage beginning at MM 132.2W of the Turnpike’s Mainline System At approximately 9:07 PM, Kegg Maintenance staff stopped

PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE COMMISSION

Bedford to Somerset Extended

Closure

January 22 – 24, 2016

After Action Review

April 5, 2016

Bedford to Somerset Extended Closure AAR

Page i Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

Table of Contents

I. Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1

II. Overview............................................................................................................................. 1

A. Event Summary ............................................................................................................... 1

B. Primary Events ................................................................................................................ 3

C. Preparedness and Situational Awareness ....................................................................... 6

D. Response and Recovery ................................................................................................10

III. After Action Review Process ..............................................................................................14

IV. Continuous Improvement Practices (CIP), Current Initiatives, Future Opportunities for

Improvement ......................................................................................................................15

V. In Summary .......................................................................................................................30

Appendices:

Appendix A – State, Local and Community Response Resource Partners

Appendix B – PA Turnpike Weather Emergency Traffic Management Plan


Page ii Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

Acronyms

AAR – After Action Review

AS – Action Strategy

ASP – Authorized Services Provider

ATMS – Advanced Traffic Management Software

CCTV – Closed Circuit Television

CIP – Continuous Improvement Process

DMS – Dynamic Message Signs

EMS – Emergency Medical Services

EPLO – Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer

ETOP – Emergency Transportation Operations Plan

ICS – Incident Command System

IMT – Incident Management Team

MCIRP – Mass Casualty Incident Response Plan

MM – Mile Marker

MRE – Meals Ready-to-Eat

MPH – Miles Per Hour

MUW – Maintenance Utility Worker

NIMS – National Incident Management System

NOAA – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NWS – National Weather Service

PEMA – Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency

PennDOT – Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

PSP – Pennsylvania State Police

PTC – Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

SEOC – State Emergency Operations Center

TOC – Traffic Operations Center


Page 1 of 30 Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

I. Introduction

The winter storm event of January 2016 was a historic storm that impacted a large

portion of the southern, eastern, and northeastern United States from January 21 – 23,

2016, ranging from southeast Nebraska to the Carolinas to the New York City metro

area and New England states. The storm impacted the southern half of Pennsylvania on

Friday and Saturday, January 22 – 23, 2016, and resulted in over 500 vehicles and

hundreds of motorists being trapped and stranded for approximately 24 hours along a

rural 12-mile section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s mainline in Bedford and Somerset

counties. The Turnpike’s response and recovery operations began Friday evening and

extended through the afternoon on Sunday, January 24, 2016. The safe conclusion to

these operations was directly attributed to the dedication and professionalism of the

approximately 300 personnel representing over 30 state, county, municipal, and private

resources deployed to assist with the recovery efforts (Appendix A).

On Monday, January 25, 2016, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC)

commenced a two-phase After Action Review (AAR) of its response to and management

of the winter storm event. Phase 1 of the AAR was the information-gathering phase,

which involved the collection of data for a timeline of the response and traffic-

management decisions and the actions taken such as lowering the speed limit, banning

trucks, and detouring traffic off the highway. Phase 2 of the AAR was an examination of

the various decisions made and actions taken before, during, and after the event along

with an analysis of the consequences of those decisions and actions.

This report is the culmination of the Turnpike’s Phase 1 and Phase 2 AAR efforts and

includes a series of continuous improvements and key recommendations that will further

strengthen the Turnpike’s winter weather maintenance and traffic incident management

operations. The Turnpike is committed to implementing the recommendations through

an aggressive continuous improvement program founded on effective leadership, strong

partnerships, and enabling technologies. The implementation phase of this AAR has

already commenced and will continue in earnest throughout 2016 and the immediate

future to ensure the Turnpike is well-positioned and prepared to respond to and manage

small- and large-scale traffic incidents and weather events alike, and above all ensure

the safety of its customers.

II. Overview

A. Event Summary

The January 2016 winter storm was a historic weather event that impacted a

large portion of the southern, eastern, and northeastern United States from

January 20 – 23, 2016, ranging from southeast Nebraska to the Carolinas to the

New York City metro area and New England states. The winter storm event was



the largest snowstorm on record for several locations in the eastern and

northeastern United States with snowfall totals measuring 42 inches in parts of

West Virginia, and at least 14 states in total received more than a foot of snow

from the storm.

The historic storm event impacted the southern half of Pennsylvania on Friday

and Saturday, January 22 – 23, 2016. Snow began falling around 2 PM Friday

and continued with severe, blizzard-like intensity through most of Saturday and

ended around 10 PM Saturday night. Blizzard-like conditions affected many

portions of southern Pennsylvania with snowfall rates averaging 1-2" per hour

with some periods exceeding 2" per hour. Total snowfall amounts ranged from

approximately 36 inches (3 feet) across many portions of southern Pennsylvania

to as little as 0.5” along the I-80 corridor. Figure 1 provides a comparison of the

forecasted snowfall totals against the actual totals received at specified locations

across the Turnpike system. Figure 2 illustrates the observed 48-hour snowfall

totals as recorded by the National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing

Center on January 24, 2016. According to Pennsylvania’s Acting State

Climatologist, for many locations in southern Pennsylvania, this storm went in the

record books as a Top 3 or Top 5 highest snowfall total event for a 24- or 48-hour

period. Furthermore, in excess of three feet fell in southeastern Pennsylvania as

well as in the highest elevations of the Laurel Highlands, which was in the vicinity

of those portions of the Turnpike’s mainline that experienced the trapped

motorists between mile marker (MM) 126W and MM 129W (New Baltimore, PA).

Figure 1 - Forecasted vs. Actual Snowfall Totals

Source: NOAA, 2016

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Inch

es o

f Sn

ow

*Champion, PA used for New Stanton actual snowfall totals. **Everett, PA used for Breezewood actual snowfall totals.

Forecasted Snowfall – Friday AM (in) Forecasted Snowfall – Friday PM (in) Actual Snowfall Totals (in)



Figure 2 - Observed Snowfall Totals Received January 22 - 23, 2016

Source: National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center, 2016

The increasingly heavy snowfall coupled with the significant number of trapped

motorists rapidly taxed the Turnpike’s traffic incident and emergency

management capabilities early in the storm event. The Turnpike’s resource

needs were, however, quickly met through mutual-aid assistance coordinated by

Bedford and Somerset County emergency management agencies and the State

Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). In total, over 300 professionals from 30

state, county, municipal, and private resources were deployed to assist with the

recovery efforts that entailed performing ongoing wellness checks on the

stranded motorists and the laborious process of removing snowbound vehicles

from two separate backlog areas that extended over 12 miles.

B. Primary Events

The following is a summary of the four primary events that occurred on Friday,

January 22, 2016, on the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s mainline between the

Breezewood and Donegal interchanges, MM 161 and 91, respectively. These

events factored directly into the Turnpike’s response to and management of the

trapped and stranded motorists located in the westbound travel lanes of the

Turnpike’s mainline system between MM 125.9 – 129 and MM 132 – 139.



1. Single tractor-trailer crash at MM 155.5W (westbound) of the Turnpike’s

Mainline System

At approximately 5:21

PM, the PTC’s Traffic

Operations Center

(TOC) was advised of

a single tractor-trailer

crash blocking both

westbound lanes at

MM 155.5W. The

tractor-trailer was

cleared from the

roadway around 7:11 PM that evening, at which time the 5.6-mile traffic

backlog was able to proceed westward and for safety reasons was paced

behind Turnpike plow trucks that were plowing and treating the roadways.

The Turnpike’s roadway clearance objective from this event was

complicated by the truck’s precarious position down a steep embankment

as shown in the above photo. A Turnpike maintenance loader was

required to push the tractor-trailer to the side of the roadway, where it was

later recovered and cleared from the system on January 28, 2016.

2. Multiple disabled tractor-trailers at MM 126W of the Turnpike’s Mainline

System

At approximately 7:40 PM, the TOC was advised that two to three tractor-

trailers were struggling to ascend the Allegheny Mountain at MM T126W.

Initially, Turnpike snow plow trucks and traffic were able to proceed

around the disabled tractor-trailers until approximately 8:40 PM.

Thereafter, the increasing snow intensity and rapid accumulations,

coupled with the 5.6 mile backlog of traffic released from the 155W crash

(described in Section II.B.1), made it increasingly difficult for Turnpike

maintenance crews to perform effective snow removal operations. This

also kept passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and charter busses alike

from proceeding by the disabled tractor-trailers. Further complicating the

Turnpike’s snow removal operations was the failure of commercial

vehicles to obey the Turnpike’s travel-lane restrictions, which required all

commercial vehicles to remain in the right lane through the Turnpike’s

New Baltimore Slide Remediation construction zone area extending from

approximately MM 128.9W to approximately MM 125W. Instead,

commercial vehicles began using all lanes and ultimately inhibited the

Turnpike’s snow removal operations in the westbound lanes. By

approximately 10 PM, all traffic including several Turnpike plow trucks



became stuck in a 3-mile backlog located between MM 126W and MM

129W (vicinity of New Baltimore, PA).

3. Multiple disabled tractor-trailers at MM 105.1E of the Turnpike’s Mainline

System

At approximately 8:53 PM, the Turnpike’s TOC was advised that multiple

tractor-trailers were stuck in the snow and blocking both eastbound lanes

of the Pennsylvania Turnpike mainline system at MM 105.1E, which is

approximately 5 miles west of the Turnpike’s Somerset Interchange (Exit

110). Pennsylvania State Police Troop T units from the Somerset Station

along with the Turnpike’s maintenance and authorized [towing and

recovery] service providers’ (ASPs) units quickly responded and worked

effectively under the same deteriorating weather conditions to recover the

stuck tractor-trailers. All lanes were cleared and reopened at 1:30 AM on

Saturday, and the resulting 1.3 mile backlog was able to proceed

eastbound.

4. Emergency Traffic Stoppage beginning at MM 132.2W of the Turnpike’s

Mainline System

At approximately 9:07 PM, Kegg Maintenance staff stopped all

westbound traffic at the Kegg Maintenance facility location at MM 132.2W

per the Turnpike’s pre-planned Emergency Traffic Stoppage Plan (E-

STOP). The E-STOP was developed and tested by PSP Troop T in

conjunction with PTC staff and first responders (ASPs, local fire

departments, etc.) as a specific traffic management strategy to safely

handle a traffic incident occurring within the New Baltimore Slide

Remediation construction zone area located between MM 132W and MM

127W. The E-STOP plan was implemented to preclude any additional

traffic from entering the construction zone area beginning at MM 132W

and exacerbating the increasingly challenging snow removal operations

occurring as a result of event number 2 discussed above. The E-STOP

plan also allowed Kegg Maintenance crews to begin turning passenger

cars and tour busses around at this location beginning at approximately

1:30 AM on Saturday. The westbound traffic was routed eastbound on

the Turnpike back towards Bedford via the Kegg Maintenance facility’s

access gate located at MM 132.2W to the Cider Road overpass and then

to the Turnpike’s eastbound lane access gate at MM 132.7E. The

trapped backlog at this location extended for almost 7.6 miles towards the

Bedford Interchange located at MM 146. At approximately 8:35 AM on

Saturday, the Turnpike also began turning westbound traffic around via its

access gates located MM 138.1. The use of these gates was also made



possible through the coordinated snow removal assistance from

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Bedford Maintenance

District.

Figure 3 provides an illustrative summary of the above four primary events.

C. Preparedness and Situational Awareness

In preparation for the January 2016 winter storm event, the PTC took the

following actions:

1. Traffic Operations Center / Emergency Communications

On Wednesday and Thursday, January 20 – 21, 2016, the PTC’s

senior leadership participated in multiple weather briefings with PEMA

and PennDOT officials. These briefings included weather forecast

information and preparedness status checks from all participating

agencies.

On Friday, January 22, 2016, the PTC’s TOC and Maintenance

Department staff received and closely monitored Daily Weather

Briefing reports communicated by the Pennsylvania Emergency

Management Agency (PEMA) on behalf of the State Meteorologist

and weather forecasts published by its contracted weather service,

AccuWeather. AccuWeather reports were issued at 4:00 AM, 10:00

AM, 1:20 PM, 3:15 PM, and 9:45 PM, and Daily Weather Briefings

were received at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Figure 4 shows the forecast

reports issued by AccuWeather for 3:15 PM and 9:45 PM respectively

on Friday, January 22, 2016. These reports were used by the PTC to

assist with their weather preparedness activities.

On Friday, January 22, 2016, at 11:34 AM, the PTC TOC staff issued

standby schedules for its ASPs and Safety Advisors according to the

updated PTC’s Weather Emergency Traffic Management Plan Level 2

activation (see Appendix B).

On Friday, January 22, 2016, at 2:03 PM, the PTC TOC advised

PEMA, PennDOT Area Command, PSP Troop T of the PTC’s

Weather Emergency Traffic Management Plan Level 2 activation

commencing at 4:00 PM.

On Friday, January 22, 2016, at 3:00 PM, the PTC issued a Travel

Advisory specifying “PA Turnpike Will Reduce Speed Limits on Some

Sections Tonight Due to Weather – Certain types of trucks, trailers

also to be banned during the weather emergency.”



Figure 3 – Primary Event Locations

Source; Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, 2016



Figure 4 – AccuWeather Forecasts, 3:15 PM and 9:45 PM, Friday, January 22, 2016



On Friday, January 22, 2016, at 5:41 PM, the TOC advised PEMA,

PennDOT Area Command, PSP Troop T that 45 MPH Speed Limit

restriction will be placed into effect at 8:30 PM on Friday, January 22,

2016, and effective immediately the truck and trailer ban was placed

into effect between the New Stanton Exit 75 and the Delaware River

Bridge on the mainline Turnpike, and between Mid-County and Lehigh

Valley Interchanges on the Northeast Extension, as well as the entire

Mon Fayette Expressway.

On Friday, January 22, 2016, at 8:30 PM, the PTC implements its 45

MPH speed restriction on the entire Turnpike system earlier than

previously planned due to the storm’s severity.

On Friday, January 22, 2016, at 9:50 PM, the PTC issues a travel

advisory banning all empty and double truck trailers and non-

commercial trailers from the Turnpike system.

2. Winter Maintenance Operations

On Thursday, January 21,

2016, the Director of

Maintenance issued a Winter

Weather Shed Radio Checks

directive to PTC Maintenance

and TOC personnel outlining

the timeframes and protocols

for the TOC to facilitate radio

checks with each maintenance

district regarding local weather

conditions.

Leading up to the events, the

Turnpike’s Everett, Kegg, and Somerset Maintenance units conducted

the following winter maintenance operations:

Both Everett and Kegg Maintenance units were in snow patrol

mode for the storm event during the 7 AM – 3 PM shift on Friday,

January 22.

Somerset Maintenance units began treating roadways at 1:30 PM

on Friday, January 22.

Kegg and Everett Maintenance units began treating roadways at

3:30 PM on Friday, January 22.

Kegg Maintenance units began plowing at 4 PM on Friday,

January 22.

Kegg Maintenance plow trains commenced operations as follows:

o First plow train left Kegg at 7:55 PM

o Second plow train left Kegg at 8:22 PM



D. Response and Recovery

1. Health and Safety Checks

In response to the primary events described in sections II.B.2 and II.B.4

above, the Turnpike’s maintenance and safety patrol units, coupled with

local volunteer fire department resources dispatched via Bedford and

Somerset Counties emergency management and 911 agencies, began

(approximately 12 AM on Saturday) conducting wellness checks on the

motorists caught in the two trapped backlogs located between MM 126W

– MM 128.9W (just below the eastern portal to the Allegheny Tunnel to

the New Baltimore area) and MM 132.2W – MM 124.6W (Kegg

Maintenance area and east towards Bedford Interchange). Later in the

day on Saturday, National Guard units were received at the Kegg

Maintenance incident command post and were deployed to assist with

conducting wellness checks on and distributing food and water to the

trapped motorists.

2. Vehicle Recovery

The Turnpike’s ASP units were initially dispatched at 10 PM on Friday,

January 22, 2016 to begin assisting with the removal of the stuck tractor-

trailers at MM 126W as described in the primary event under section

II.B.2 above. ASP units were dispatched to Kegg Maintenance around

12:12 AM on Saturday, January 23, 2016 to provide fuel for any disabled

vehicles stopped in the emergency stoppage event beginning at MM

132.2W as described in section II.B.4 above. Motorist assistance and

vehicle recovery operations continued until all vehicles were removed

from the Turnpike by 2:25 PM on Sunday, January 24, 2016.

It is important to note that the vehicle recovery operations were greatly

hampered by the heavy snowfall and extreme weather conditions. Phase

1 AAR interviews with the Turnpike’s ASPs determined that such weather

conditions greatly decreased their capabilities to perform vehicle recovery

operations efficiently and effectively. For example, a typical recovery

operation would take on average 15 minutes per vehicle. However, the

ASPs specified that it was taking upwards to 45 minutes to recover some

vehicles; particularly the heavy commercial vehicles, which then had to be

individually towed a significant distance (i.e., to the top of Allegheny

Mountain and into the dry and clear tunnel lanes) before they could safely

proceed on the system.



3. Traffic Management

Turnpike officials closely coordinated with PSP and the Governor’s Office

through PennDOT and PEMA to determine the needs, requirements, and

impacts of a roadway closure decision based on specific circumstances

or events. In the case of the January 2016 winter storm event, the

Turnpike Commission initially chose not to close the Turnpike system

based on the following factors:

The storm system was widespread across the southern half of the

Commonwealth and in neighboring states of Maryland and West

Virginia. Conditions on alternative routes were thereby equally

impacted by the storm, and a closure of the Turnpike system

would have had significant impacts on regional, state and local

roads, and local communities.

Traffic was either approaching or already on the Turnpike system

at the time of the traffic backlog incidents, so there was an

immediate need to ensure the safety of these motorists by

keeping the roadway open for their safe passage.

Closing the Turnpike system requires an extensive amount of

Turnpike resources (specifically Maintenance crews and

equipment) that were already committed to winter maintenance

operations.

Turnpike winter maintenance units were responding effectively

elsewhere on the system keeping it open throughout the entire

storm period.

PennDOT winter maintenance units were also responding

effectively elsewhere keeping interstate and secondary roadways

open throughout the entire storm period.

However, at 11:10 AM on Saturday, January 23, 2016, the Turnpike

Commission implemented a Plan X to effectively close the Turnpike

mainline in both east- and westbound directions between the Breezewood

and New Stanton interchanges to support the rescue and recovery

operations of the trapped motorists, and to ensure the safety of all

personnel involved in the operations. Without closing this portion of the

mainline would have precluded the Turnpike’s ability to turn traffic around

at certain access gate locations as follows:

8:35 AM Saturday – Access Gate Milepost 138W

1:10 PM Saturday – Access Gate Milepost 129W

The Turnpike and PSP Troop T determined that no other access gate

locations within the trapped backlog areas proved to provide safe egress



points for the trapped motorists to exit the system. For example, such

access areas connected to local roadways that were snow covered and

impassable and/or led into more rural areas that would have jeopardized

motorist safety and further taxed local resources.

In addition to the above access gate locations, PSP Troop T and the

Turnpike removed the concrete median barriers at the following locations

to further assist with removing the snowbound vehicles from the Turnpike

system:

5:14 PM Saturday – Median Barrier removal at Milepost 132

6:04 PM Saturday – Median Barrier removal at Milepost 128.5

7:44 PM Saturday – Median Barrier removal at Milepost 127

The decision to remove these median barriers was determined by the on-

site PSP Incident Commander based on safety considerations and

functional value. The barriers were removed at the earliest time possible

given the continuing storm conditions and poor visibility throughout the

day on Saturday, January 23.

4. Customer Sheltering and Safety

In conjunction with the above response and recovery actions, the

Turnpike closely coordinated with the SEOC to identify three distinct

approaches to providing safe shelter for the trapped motorists.

Approach 1 – Shelter the motorists in-place (i.e., in their respective

vehicles) and through the health and safety checks ensure their basic

food, water, and medical needs (including the dispatch and response of

emergency medical services, EMS) were met to include refueling vehicles

and removing snowpack from engine exhaust pipes. This approach also

included the use of the Kegg Maintenance facility for restroom, warming,

and food distribution needs.

Approach 2 – Relocate all motorists to warming busses that would be

strategically positioned along the eastbound travel lanes adjacent to the

trapped queued vehicles. Motorists would be returned to the their

respective vehicles once the vehicles were recovered from the snow and

the motorists were able to proceed safely on the system or were

evacuated to a safe route and/or location away from the impacted

roadway area (Approach 3).



Approach 3 – Ensure the motorists whose vehicles were recovered and

removed from the trapped queue were able to proceed safely on the

system or were evacuated to a safe route and/or location away from the

impacted roadway area. Prior to implementing this approach, the PTC

ensured through aggressive winter maintenance operations that the

remaining portions of the Turnpike system were cleared of snow and well-

treated. In addition, the Turnpike also coordinated with PennDOT on the

conditions of state roadways to confirm their safe travel conditions for the

evacuated motorists’ use.

It is important to note that most motorists chose to remain in their vehicles

(i.e., shelter in place) even though they were given the option to relocate

to warming busses and/or available shelters. Ultimately, their decision to

shelter in place greatly aided the Turnpike’s ability to quickly remove

vehicles from the area and reopen the roadway.

5. Roadway Restoration

Throughout the storm event, Turnpike Maintenance crews were able to

maintain effective snow removal operations on the remaining Turnpike

system including the eastbound lanes adjacent to the trapped queued

areas of the Turnpike system (i.e., MM 126W – MM 129W and MM 132W

– 139W). Keeping the eastbound lanes open proved not only critical to

preventing additional traffic incidents and potential backlogs from

occurring, but it also proved invaluable to supporting the Turnpike’s

overall response and recovery operations once the Plan X was fully

implemented between Breezewood and New Stanton. During the Plan X,

the eastbound lanes afforded Turnpike Maintenance, PSP, first

responders, and additional resources greater access to and visibility of

the trapped queued areas.

Within the effected westbound lanes of the trapped queued areas, the

Turnpike’s ability to restore the roadway became increasingly more

effective once the storm system passed and as vehicles were recovered

and removed from the impacted area. The Turnpike was then able to

safely use heavy equipment to remove the significant amounts of snow

and ice compacted to the roadway as a result of the vehicle recovery

operations. The compacted and frozen snow left on the roadway after all

vehicles had been cleared required the use of specialized loaders and

roadway graders to effectively restore the road surface to safe conditions.



6. Community and Public Agency Partner Assistance

The success of the Turnpike’s response and recovery operations was

directly attributed to the dedication and professionalism of the

approximately 300 personnel representing over 30 state, county,

municipal, and private resources deployed to assist with the recovery

efforts.

At the onset of the event, the Turnpike received immediate assistance

and support from the local fire and EMS agencies – coordinated and

dispatched from Bedford and Somerset Counties, and the SEOC – to

conduct customer health and safety checks. Local businesses, schools,

churches and other community organizations also answered the call to

provide food and shelter for the trapped motorists. The combined efforts

of these partners greatly aided the traffic management and vehicle

recovery efforts of the PSP and ASPs.

III. After Action Review Process

On Monday, January 25, 2016, the PTC

commenced a two-phase AAR of its

response to and management of the

winter storm event. Phase 1 of the AAR

was the information-gathering phase,

which involved the collection of data for

a timeline of the response and traffic-

management decisions and the actions

taken such as lowering the speed limit,

banning trucks, and detouring traffic off

the highway. Phase 2 of the AAR was an

examination of the various decisions made and actions taken before, during, and after

the event along with an analysis of the consequences of those decisions and actions.

The Turnpike’s AAR process began with initial meetings with the three maintenance

units involved in the January 2016 winter storm event from start to finish, including

Everett, Kegg, and Somerset Maintenance units. In addition, the AAR team solicited

feedback from over 150 internal and external response partners to include in-person

meetings with PSP Troop T, Turnpike Safety staff, ASPs, fire and EMS departments,

and county EMA and 911 agencies. The team also conducted multiple AAR meetings at

the Turnpike’s Central Administration Building in Middletown on February 2 and 8, 2016.

The first meeting included over 30 participants from the Turnpike, PSP Troop T, and

PennDOT. The second AAR meeting involved over 30 participants from the Turnpike,

PSP Troop T, PennDOT, PEMA, National Guard, and Bedford County Emergency

Management Agency. Finally, Turnpike officials participated in legislative hearings held



by the PA House Transportation Committee on February 10, 2016, and the Joint Senate

Committee Hearing on February 16, 2016.

The results of the Turnpike’s Phase 1 and Phase 2 AAR efforts, coupled with the

outcomes of the aforementioned legislative hearings serve as the basis for the

identification of best practices and key recommendations that will further improve the

Turnpike’s winter weather maintenance and traffic incident and emergency management

operations.

IV. Continuous Improvement Practices (CIP), Current Initiatives, Future

Opportunities for Improvement

Table 1 summarizes the continuous improvement practices identified through this AAR

as methods, techniques, or protocols that the PTC and its Traffic Incident Management

(TIM) partners utilized to achieve positive outcomes to the January 2016 winter storm

event. These practices were implemented following the February 14, 2014 multiple

vehicle crash in Bucks County, PA and were in place prior to the January 2016 winter

storm event. Each practice proved beneficial to the Turnpike’s response to and

management of the trapped motorists in Bedford and Somerset Counties.

Table 2 inventories the Turnpike’s current projects and initiatives that were underway

prior to the January 2016 winter storm event and are deemed to have a direct impact on

improving the Turnpike’s traffic incident and emergency management preparedness,

response, recovery, and mitigation efforts.

Table 3 details the new opportunities for improvement and recommended courses of

action to enhance the Turnpike’s response to and management of future traffic incidents

and associated impacts.

PHASE 1 AAR

• INFORMATION GATHERING AND FACT FINDING

• INTRA- AND INTERAGENCY AAR MEETINGS

• TIMELINE OF EVENTS

PHASE 2 AAR

• PA HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE HEARING

• JOINT SENATE COMMITTEE HEARING

FINAL

AAR REPORT

DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

1/25/2016 2/16/2016 4/5/2016 2016 – 2017



Table 1 – Continuous Improvement Practices

Continuous Improvement Practices (CIP)

Summary

CIP.1 – After Action Review of the

February 14, 2014 Multiple Vehicle

Crash in Bucks County, PA

The PTC’s AAR of the February 14, 2014 multiple vehicle crash in

Bucks County, PA resulted in the identification of 26 key

recommendations that were immediately acted upon. To date, 12 of

the 26 recommendations have been implemented and 14 are

undergoing further implementation. Many of these recommendations

proved beneficial to the PTC’s response to the January 2016 winter

storm event.

CIP.2 – After Action Reviews (AARs) The PTC routinely utilizes a collaborative After Action Review (AAR)

process to proactively engage and communicate with its TIM partners

to obtain the feedback necessary to continually improve and strengthen

the PTC’s TIM program, which in turn helps the PTC provide a safer

highway experience to PTC customers and identify future TIM training,

policy and operational improvement needs. Within recent years, the

PTC’s AAR process has been standardized based on guidelines

specified in the PTC’s TIM Guidelines and Emergency Transportation

Operations Plan (ETOP): One key outcome of each AAR is a series of

key recommendations focusing on specific improvements to the PTC’s

overall Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO)

program.

CIP.3 – Teambuilding Exercises During September and October of 2014, the PTC conducted eight

teambuilding sessions with more than 90 members of the Turnpike’s

Maintenance and Traffic Operations departments. Participants

engaged in activities to enhance working relationships and critical

teambuilding skills through exercises applicable in day-to-day

interactions on the job. This provided a positive and energizing way to

build on a solid tradition of excellent customer service. The PTC

considers such teambuilding initiatives as a critical element to its

training and exercise program and seeks to continue and expand the

teambuilding program to include its external TIM resource partners.

The teambuilding exercises sought to address:

Leadership

Coordination

Knowledge Transfer

Processes and Procedures

Technology

CIP.4 – FHWA SHRP2 Training The PTC has delivered the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA)

Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) National Traffic Incident

Management Responder Training to nearly 700 Turnpike staff and



Traffic Incident Management (TIM) resource partners including PSP

Troop T, ASPs, local fire and EMS agencies, hazardous materials

response teams, county emergency management agencies, etc. The

training course provides first responders a shared understanding of the

requirements for safe, quick clearance of traffic incident scenes;

prompt, reliable and open communication; and motorist and responder

safeguards.

CIP.5 – Emergency Traffic Stoppage

Plan (E-STOP) for the New Baltimore

Slide Remediation Project

The E-STOP plan is a specific traffic management plan (TMP) strategy

developed by PSP Troop T and the PTC to establish protocols to safely

handle an incident in the New Baltimore Slide Remediation Project

area, which is located between mainline MM 123 to 130 in Bedford and

Somerset counties and traverses one of the highest elevation point

along the entire Turnpike system and is subject to severe weather

conditions (particularly winter snow and ice). Both the eastbound and

westbound travel lanes within the project are reconfigured utilizing

cattle chutes and the E-STOP plan was specifically designed to

address how traffic will be managed during an emergency condition or

crash in the construction zone. The E-STOP plan proved to be an

effective traffic management strategy during the January 2016 winter

storm event given Kegg Maintenance’s situational awareness of the

traffic backlog forming in the cattle chutes and their quick decision to

begin stopping westbound traffic at Kegg Maintenance (MM T132.3W)

per the E-STOP plan. The E-STOP plan prevented additional traffic

backlogs from forming behind the cattle chutes and allowed Kegg

Maintenance and PSP to begin turning passenger cars and bus traffic

around at Kegg Maintenance early in the event timeline.

CIP.6 – New Baltimore Slide

Remediation Project Tabletop Exercise

The PTC in conjunction with PSP Troop T, emergency responders,

Authorized Services Providers (ASPs), and project design consultants

conducted a discussion-based, tabletop exercise (TTX) on its New

Baltimore Slide Remediation Project. The TTX was designed to

discuss specific emergency response operations for incidents that may

occur within the project’s east- and westbound cattle chute lanes. The

project is located between mainline MM 123 to 130 in Bedford and

Somerset counties and traverses the highest elevation point along the

entire Turnpike system and is subject to severe weather conditions

(particularly winter snow and ice). The TTX directly lead to the

development of the E-STOP Plan discussed above.

CIP.7 – Revised Traffic Management

Plan Procedures and Design

Operations Manual Revisions

Based on the successful outcomes of the New Baltimore Slide TMP

and E-STOP strategy, the PTC has since updated its Traffic Design

Operations Manual (DOM) to require TTXs on future construction

projects.



CIP.8 – 2015 Papal Visit Preparations Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia from Friday, September 25 –

Sunday, September 27, 2015, was expected to draw approximately 1

million visitors to the city’s downtown; the access to which was

restricted by planned road closures into the city. The PTC proactively

participated in the interagency (federal, state, and local) coordination

and interoperability planning activities leading up to the Papal Visit.

The coordination and multi-agency pre-planning was well executed and

greatly demonstrated to the PTC’s preparedness and response

capabilities.

CIP.9 – PTC NIMS and ICS Training The PTC continues to promote and support NIMS and incident

command system (ICS) training for its staff and has recently integrated

its NIMS training into its job description core competency.

CIP.10 – Waze™ Closures and

Shelters

The PTC enhanced its utilization of Waze™ during the Bedford to

Somerset extended closure event by pushing notifications regarding

Turnpike Plan X, alternative route detours, and the locations of

emergency shelters.



Table 2 – Ongoing PTC Supporting Projects and Initiatives

Category Project/Initiative Status

Planning and

Programming

PI.1 – ITS Capital

Plan

Deploying DMS on each segment and pre-entry

Deploying CCTVs at each interchange and tunnels

Assessing need for CCTVs at crash cluster locations

Planning and

Programming

PI.2 – Update

Maintenance

Operations Plans

Updating maintenance operations plans to include gates,

detours, u-turns, backlog assistance procedures/guidelines

Modifying crash cluster report to include weather hot spots

Engineering and

Construction

PI.3 – Truck Parking

Study

Ongoing study to evaluate future truck parking

opportunities

Identifying need and feasibility of a truck parking

information system

Winter Maintenance

and Operations

PI.4 – Maintenance

Utility Worker (MUW)

Program Review

Ongoing evaluation of potential program enhancements,

training improvements, and job responsibility modifications

Winter Maintenance

and Operations

PI.5 – Weather

Management Study

Evaluating the PTC’s weather information, forecasting and

decision-making needs of maintenance, traffic operations

and others

Considering the role of new technology and other

mechanisms to enhance weather management

Traffic Operations PI.6 – ASP Incentive

Program

Updating ASP rates and implementing an incentive

program pilot

Traffic Operations PI.7 – DMS Operating

Guidelines

Developing guidelines for consistent messaging to

customers

Plan to include a “quick alert” message and “detailed alert”

phased messaging approach

Traffic Operations PI.8 – Mobile CCTV Deployed 9 mobile CCTV and 16 handheld CCTV

accounts

Plan to deploy mobile CCTV on all MUW vehicles

Traffic Operations PI.9 – Mobility

Performance Metrics

Incorporated mobility and incident metrics in the PTC’s

Annual Performance [Metrics] Report

Ongoing pilot project (with data analytics provider) that will

integrate all data in real-time

Developing requirements for the PTC’s Next Generation

Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS), which will

provide enhanced data for additional metrics (see ATMS

Project below)




Traffic Operations PI.10 – Traffic

Operations Center

Review

Reviewing existing TOC layout, equipment, software,

procedures and staffing needs to address current and

future needs

Traffic Operations PI.11 – Transportation

Operations

Performance Program

Reviewing future needs, focus areas, priority projects and

staffing of the traffic operations program

Objective is to develop a performance-based program that

prioritizes and maximizes the investment in operations

Traffic Operations PI.12 – Unmanned

Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Deployment Plan

Submitted Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

application and developed flight guidelines

Expecting approval in Spring 2016 and deployment by

Summer 2016

Traveler Information PI.13 – Notification

Tools

Working on developing alerting tools for HERE (probe

data) and Waze™

Traveler Information PI.14 – Social Media

Alerting

Partnering with Carnegie Mellon University and PennDOT

to study automated monitoring of social media for incidents

Future study phase would allow for alerting directly into the

Turnpike’s TOC

Traveler Information PI.15 – Waze™

Partnership

Sharing data with Waze™ including incidents and events

Currently coding road closures, shelters and other events

into Waze™

Waze™ providing email alerts to users

Communications and

Coordination

PI.16 – PTC Traffic

Incident Management

(TIM) Newsletter

Published first quarterly newsletter (Winter 2015) to keep

PTC employees, and emergency and incident

management partners better informed about Traffic

Engineering & Operation’s projects and initiatives

Incident and

Emergency

Management

PI.17 – Advanced

Traffic Management

Software (ATMS)

Implementation

Developing requirements and RFP for next generation

ATMS software, which will (1) provide enhanced situational

awareness and quicker incident response; and (2) include

a weather module equipped with predicative alerts and

decision support capabilities

Implementation starting in 2016

Incident and

Emergency

Management

PI.18 – After Action

Reviews (AAR)

Implemented AAR guidelines and reporting template

AAR results will be shared via intranet, website and PTC

Traffic Incident Management (TIM) newsletter beginning in

2016




Incident and

Emergency

Management

PI.19 – PEMA EPLO

and Emergency

Transportation

Operations Playbook

Developing guidelines for PTC EPLOs and Area Command

regarding staffing, resources and responsibilities when

activated

Incident and

Emergency

Management

PI.20 – Special

Events Playbook

Developing guidelines and checklists for planned and

unplanned special events

Incident and

Emergency

Management

PI.21 – Traffic

Incident Management

Guidelines/ Website

Consolidating/ developing traffic incident management

guidelines for all responders

Developing framework for a website to share information

Incident and

Emergency

Management

PI.22 – Traffic

Management Plan

Guidelines

Developed guidelines that have been included in the PTC’s

Design Operations Manual

Policy and Legislation PI.23 – Hold

Harmless Legislation

Advancing Hold Harmless legislation to protect the PTC

and Authorized Services Providers (ASPs) pursuant to the

Pennsylvania Transportation Advisory Committee Traffic

Incident Management Report (February 2014)



Table 3 – Opportunities for Improvement

Category Action Strategy

(NOT listed in priority order)

Implementation Steps

Engineering and

Construction

AS.1 – Conduct a

systemwide evaluation of

existing and proposed

access ramps/gates and

median barriers to

determine their capacity to

manage the diversion and/or

turnaround of backlogged

traffic.

Step 1: Continue to advance the PTC’s Access Gate

Program, which seeks to achieve a turnaround

approximately every 5 miles across the system.

Step 1A. Determine each existing access ramp’s/gate’s

capability to accommodate passenger and commercial

vehicles alike and identify their limitations and

improvement needs.

Step 1B. Determine the access route(s) servicing each

access ramp/gate and identify their limitations and

improvements in carrying passenger and commercial

vehicles alike in winter and non-winter seasons.

Step 2: Deploy heavily reinforced, removable median gate

technologies for emergency openings, contraflow

applications, and workzone access at strategic locations

across the Turnpike system.

Step 2A: Monitor the use and application of the sliding

median barrier that is being constructed as part of the

PTC’s A101 Total Reconstruction project.

Step 2B: Continue to research alternative heavily

reinforced, removable median gate designs for emergency

openings, contraflow applications, and workzone access.

Step 2C: In conjunction with PSP Troop T, identify and

prioritize critical median access points across the Turnpike

system and determine the appropriate removable median

gate technologies based on the A101 pilot and best

practices research.

Step 3: Prioritize the proposed access ramp/gate and

median barrier improvements and ensure they are included

in the 10-year Highway Capital Plan.

Engineering and

Construction

AS.2 – Enhance the PTC’s

workzone safety procedures

and strategies.

Step 1: Review year-round construction projects to include

the need for Traffic Management Plans to include

emergency stoppage, backlog assistance, stand-by towing,

fully capable CCTV, median barriers, etc.

Step 2: Deploy regional smart work zones such that all

long-term construction projects include smart work zones.






Forecasting and

Preparedness

AS.3 – Strengthen the

PTC’s weather forecasting

and situational awareness

capabilities.

Step 1: Pursue additional customization and

enhancements to the PTC’s weather forecasting

capabilities

Step 2: Align Weather Emergency Traffic Management

Plan level with National Weather Service (NWS) levels –

address restrictions for 1) all vehicles 2) trucks and buses

and 3) empties and doubles 4) construction activities

Step 3: Request that PEMA consolidate NWS reporting

and provide one NWS/PEMA report

Step 4: Conduct training/ education with National Guard to

achieve a common understanding of each organization’s

operations and missions

Winter

Maintenance and

Operations

AS.4 – Complete the PTC’s

Weather Management Study

to determine the role of new

technology and other

mechanisms to enhance the

Turnpike’s weather

forecasting, information

management, and decision-

making capabilities.

Step 1: Program recommendations

Winter

Maintenance and

Operations

AS.5 – Conduct a thorough

review of the Maintenance

Department’s equipment

and staffing by shed to

ensure the PTC’s winter

maintenance capabilities

sufficiently address threats

and risks.

Step 1: Conduct a gap and needs analysis of each

Maintenance facility’s resource needs based on region-

specific threats and risks analysis.

Winter

Maintenance and

Operations

AS.6 – Create a connected

vehicle program to include

the tracking of snow

maintenance operations and

other winter operations

connected vehicle

applications.

Step 1: Complete the connected roadway project.

Step 2: Develop the joint strategic plan with PennDOT.

Step 3: Implement a connected fleet.

Step 4: Program projects.






Winter

Maintenance and

Operations

AS.7 – Update PTC’s

Weather Emergency Traffic

Management Plan.

Step 1: Conduct a review meeting(s) to identify and

prioritize the necessary revisions to the plan. For example:

Align the weather plan levels with NWS levels

Specify restriction standards for 1) all vehicles 2)

trucks and buses and 3) empty and double

trailers.

Define clear procedures for activating the TOC’s

War Room and its staffing.

Step 2: Update the plan according to the revisions and

communicate the revised plan to all internal stakeholders

for review and comment.

Step 3: Publish the final plan and conduct training on the

revisions in advance of the 2016-17 winter season.

Traffic

Operations

AS.8 – Conduct a study and

implementation plan for

hurricane gates.

Step 1: Conduct a study to identify and prioritize hurricane

gate locations and their use demand.

Step 2: Identify feasible hurricane gate technologies and

present such technologies to the Innovation Council for

review and recommendation.

Step 3: Program priority hurricane gate installations into

the Highway Capital Budget.

Traffic

Operations

AS.9 – Clearly define

roadway closure decision

process.

Step 1: Participate in the Commonwealth’s interagency

roadway closure policy discussion.

Step 2: Update the PTC’s Weather Emergency Operations

Traffic Management Plan accordingly.

Traffic

Operations

AS.10 – Enhance the PTC’s

pre-staged towing

procedures for weather

emergency and construction

projects.

Step 1: Develop pre-staged towing guidelines.

Step 2: Implement incentive towing pilots.

Traveler

Information

AS.11 – Continue to

increase and enhance the

PTC’s use of crowdsourcing

technologies (e.g., Waze™,

Twitter™, etc.). This will

strengthen communications

with the PTC’s customers

Step 1: Continue to partner on the joint Carnegie Mellon

University/PennDOT automated monitoring of social media

for incidents study.

Step 2: Update the PTC’s social media/crowdsourcing

procedures to consolidate Twitter™ handles and allow for

24/7 response from Communications/PR and/or

Operations Center: Also consider the following:






and augment its situational

awareness capabilities.

Permit Duty Officers to send out manual tweets in

support to augment the Public Relations and

Communication’s capabilities.

Provide crowdsourcing and social media training

for Duty Officers and Public Relations and

Communication’s staff.

Develop templates for Twitter™ messages (based

on plausible event scenarios) that may be readily

used by PTC staff during emergency

communications.

Along with other transportation agencies,

proactively advocate to have Waze™ technology

upgraded to include the capability to respond to

user messages.

Step 3: Continue to evaluate Traffic Engineering &

Operations’ organizational structure and staffing to

efficiently and effectively manage the PTC’s increased use

of and dependency upon Waze™ and other social media

emergency communication/information/situational

awareness tools.

Traveler

Information

AS.12 – Improve travel

information communication

strategies for passenger,

commercial vehicles and

buses.

Step 1. Proactively engage AAA Foundation, Pennsylvania

Motor Trucking Association (PMTA), Pennsylvania Bus

Association (PBA), and Pennsylvania School Bus

Association (PSBA) to:

Review the PTC’s current public communication

programs and technologies.

Determine specific information needs and

communications requirements/barriers of the

commercial vehicle and bus industries.

Identify commercial vehicle and bus restrictions

that may occur during winter weather events.

Discuss coordination with neighboring states.

Identify emerging programs and next generation

technologies.

Step 2: Update existing standards and/or develop new

protocols according to the priority outcomes of Step 1.

This includes reviewing existing traveler notification

procedures/protocols and determining ways to directly

communicate with such customers (e.g., email, reverse

call, social media, data feed).






Step 3: Update the Turnpike’s notification protocols to

require timely updates through the PTC’s Emergency

Notification System (ENS) and social media tools. For

example, update travel information system no less than

hourly for incidents lasting more than two hours.

Step 4: Consider the Emergency Alert System (EAS) as an

additional emergency communication tool.

Communications

and Coordination

AS.13 – Strengthen the

PTC’s communications and

information sharing

capabilities with its TIM

resource partners.

Step 1: Create and maintain an online portal (e.g.,

ShareFile, Basecamp, etc.) to share and store reports,

policies, procedures, etc. with the PTC’s TIM resource

partners (both internal and external).

Communications

and Coordination

AS.14 – Continue the PTC’s

proactive involvement in

regional and state Traffic

Incident Management (TIM)

programs and ensure

participation includes

Regional Task Forces.

Step 1: Work with PEMA and County EMA’s to ensure the

Commonwealth’s Regional Task Forces are included in

regional and statewide TIM programs.

Step 2: Continue participating in SPC’s and DVRPC’s TIM

programs and consider creating TIM Coordinator positions

responsible for east and west regions of the PTC system.

Step 3: Implement a statewide TIM Program.

Communications

and Coordination


strengthen the PTC’s

partnerships with and

among its incident and

emergency management

partners.

Step 1: Continue to sponsor and deliver traffic incident

management training to first responders.

Step 2: Identify teambuilding needs among the PTC’s

incident and emergency management partners, and deliver

the appropriate training.

Step 3: Organize and host an annual incident management

and emergency services partners meeting to create a

forum for information exchange and enhance partnering

opportunities.

Incident and

Emergency

Management

AS.16 – Augment the PTC’s

current incident and

emergency management

capabilities through auxiliary

personnel and equipment

and develop the appropriate

procedures for their

training/preparedness,

activation, mobilization,

Step 1A: Organize functional Strike Teams or Task Forces

to augment the PTC’s traffic incident management and/or

maintenance operations during large scale incidents where

existing resources may already deployed (e.g., winter

maintenance operations, etc.). Such resources should

consider greater utilization of municipal resources and non-

deployed Turnpike personnel.






deployment, and

deactivation.

Step 1B: Develop procedures for Strike Teams/Task

Forces’ training/preparedness, activation, mobilization,

deployment, and deactivation.

Step 1C: Ensure each Maintenance District is equipped

with a Mobile Incident Command Post (ICP) and Vest Kit,

and administer the appropriate training of the ICP tools in

conjunction with the appropriate first responders.

Step 2: Work with County EMAs to identify their respective

emergency management resources and capabilities to

augment the PTC’s incident and emergency management

needs based on its all-hazard risks.

Incident and

Emergency

Management


integrate the National

Incident Management

System (NIMS) into the

PTC’s Traffic Incident

Management and

Maintenance Operations.

Step 1: Continue to administer the PTC’s National Incident

Management System (NIMS) training as specified in the

PTC’s Emergency Transportation Operations Plan (ETOP)

and ensure the concepts of Incident Command and Unified

Command are indoctrinated into the Turnpike’s traffic

incident and emergency management operations.

Step 2: In coordination with PSP Troop T, ensure the

PTC’s incident management and maintenance operations

are clearly organized according to the Incident Command

System (ICS) functional structure and are expandable

according to the required geographical or functional areas

of operation.

Step 3: Ensure the PTC’s facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications are integrated into a common framework for coordinating and supporting multiagency and multijurisdictional incident/unified command operations.

Incident and

Emergency

Management

AS.18 – Develop a Mass

Casualty Incident Response

Plan (MCIRP).

Step 1: Collaborate with PEMA, PennDOT, and the PTC’s

fire and EMS response agencies to develop a MCIRP and

integrate the plan into the PTC’s Traffic Incident

Management (TIM) program.

Step 2: Conduct tabletop exercises on the MCIRP and

maintain and communicate the plan to all PTC TIM

partners, including hospital facilities servicing the PTC’s

area of impact.

Incident and

Emergency

Management

AS.19 – Ensure first

responders have adequate

and reliable mobile and

Step 1: Ensure the PTC maintains a current inventory of its

mobile and portable radios issued to first responders.






portable Turnpike radio

communication capabilities.

Step 2: Determine deficiencies in radio devices among its

first responders.

Step 3: Identify the appropriate capital programming needs

to finance the purchase and/or replacement of radio

devices.

Incident and

Emergency

Management

AS.20 – Ensure the PTC’s

State EOC EPLOs attain

current training on their roles

and responsibilities.

Step 1: Complete the PTC’s EPLO Playbook (regarding

staffing, responsibilities, and available resources) and

ensure it is communicated to the appropriate Turnpike

staff.

Step 2: Provide continuous training to Turnpike EPLOs.

Incident and

Emergency

Management

AS.21 – Further refine the

PTCs Trapped Queue

Motorist Assistance Plan to

address specific

requirements across the

system.

Step 1: Develop a Trapped Queue Motorist Assistance

Plan for each Maintenance District based on their unique

circumstances and environments. Such plans should be

based on the template created for Maintenance District 2

and include the access gate evaluation initiative specified

in AS.2.

Step 2: Ensure each district plan addresses Incident

Command/Unified Command and is integrated into the

Turnpike’s Traffic Incident Management (TIM) and PSP

Troop T’s traffic incident response protocols.

Step 3: Work with local fire and EMS departments to

ensure each plan includes protocols and standards for

conducting health and safety checks including provisions

for identifying and marking vehicles, dissemination of

written and electronic communication methods to trapped

motorists, vehicle inventory and tracking methods, and

other protocols deemed necessary.

Step 4: Conduct tabletop exercises on each district plan

and ensure such exercises included participants from

TE&O, Maintenance, PSP Troop T, PEMA, National

Guard, County EMAs, and local fire and EMS units.

Incident and

Emergency

Management

AS.22 – Maintain

strategically located caches

of emergency food supplies

to support the PTC’s safety

and care of motorists that

may become stopped for

Step 1: Conduct an evaluation of the PTC’s warehouse

facilities’ capacity to store caches of emergency food

supplies, such as bottled water, energy bars, Meals Ready-

to-Eat (MRE), etc.

Step 2: Determine the appropriate quantities of food

supplies needed to be stored at any given time.






long periods of time in a

backlogged traffic queue.

Step 3: Work with statewide partners to identify existing

caches to maximize available resources.

Step 4: Ensure the caches are properly tracked and

rotated based on their respective shelf-lives.

Step 5: Develop a logistics plan for the caches’ timely

distribution to any location along the Turnpike system.

Such a plan should be developed in conjunction with the

PA National Guard as a potential resource for logistics

support.



V. In Summary

The Turnpike, in strong collaboration with its staff, and state, local and community

partners, has conducted a thorough review of the Bedford to Somerset Extended

Closure event. The decisions made in response to and management of the event were

based on the most current information available to the Turnpike and its response

partners. Such decisions and actions helped to limit the expansion of a difficult and

inconvenient situation from becoming a more serious event. The response of the

Turnpike, working in close coordination with the community, brought the event to its

conclusion without injury or loss of life. Furthermore, through extensive review and

research, the Turnpike concluded that a variety of factors contributed to its traffic

management decisions that included the timing of the Plan X implementation, opening of

certain access gates, and removal of median barriers.

The Turnpike is committed to implementing the projects and recommendations outlined

in this report through an aggressive, continuous improvement program founded on

effective leadership, strong partnerships, and enabling technologies. The

implementation phase of this AAR has already commenced and will continue in earnest

throughout 2016 and the immediate future to ensure the Turnpike is well-positioned and

prepared to respond to and manage small- and large-scale traffic incidents and weather

events alike, and above all ensure the safety of its customers. As outlined in Tables 1,

2, and 3, the Turnpike has identified various practices, procedures, and technologies to

strengthen its future response to and management of significant weather events and

traffic incident situations to ensure the safety of its customers and incident and

emergency management partners.

It is important to note that beyond the operational confines of this review, the Turnpike

continues to work with its state transportation and emergency management partners

(i.e., PennDOT and PEMA) to develop and implement enhanced communication

systems and response capabilities that will provide for a better overall future experience

for motorists involved in extended-duration, limited-access highway closures.


Appendix A

State, Local and Community Response

Resource Partners


The Turnpike acknowledges that the success of its response to and management of the Bedford

to Somerset Extended Closure event was directly attributed to the dedication and

professionalism of the approximately 300 personnel representing over 30 state, county,

municipal, and private resource partners deployed to assist with the recovery efforts. These

partners included the following:

Alum Bank Fire Company

Bedford Area School District

Bedford County 911

Bedford County Emergency Management Agency

Bedford Fire Company

Bedford United Methodist Church

Berlin Fire & EMS

Bollman Charter Service

CoGo’s™

Dollar General™

Herring Motor Company

Interstate Emergency Services, Inc.

Lakewood Automotive & Towing

LaSalles Garage

Myers Garage

New Baltimore Fire Company

Pennsylvania National Guard

Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA)

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)

Pennsylvania State Police

Shanksville Fire Company

Shawnee Market

Shawnee Valley Ambulance

Shawnee Valley Fire Company

Sheetz™

Somerset County 911

Somerset County Emergency Management Agency

Southern Cove Fire Company

St. Thomas Parish

Subway™

Walmart Distribution – Bedford

Waze™ Connected Citizens Program

Wissingers Repairs


Appendix B

Weather Emergency Traffic Management Plan

December 28, 2015 FINAL

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

Weather Emergency Traffic

Management Plan

December 28, 2015

Final

December 28, 2015 Final 2

Table of Contents

Page #

Weather Emergency Plan Levels and Definitions 3

Pa. DOT Publication 23, Section #4 Road Condition Descriptors 4

Weather Advisories 5 - 6

Level 1 Storm Procedures 7 - 9

Traffic Engineering and Operations

Maintenance

State Police Troop T

FEMO

Travel Plazas and PTC Concessions

Fare Collection & Toll Waiving

Communications and Public Relations

Engineering

Level 2 Storm Procedures 10-14


Maintenance


FEMO




Engineering



Maintenance


FEMO




Engineering


Traffic Operations and Engineering

Maintenance


FEMO




Engineering


Weather Emergency Traffic Management Plan This plan is designed to guide the operations of the Pennsylvania Turnpike when there

is significant weather forecast that includes the following conditions: snow

accumulation of (6 in.), ½ inch of ice, high winds in excess 40 mph, flashflood rain fall at

a rate of 1 inch per hour, or other weather conditions that may impact traffic and

public safety. Weather Advisories can be activated for a specific region or the entire

Turnpike system when there are any issues concerning travel conditions or weather that does

not meet the Level activations. The key to this plan will be the fast and efficient notification

of the needed resources and to move traffic safely and quickly.

Advisory- An Advisory issued to provide notification internally and externally of an

approaching weather event.

The advisory serves as a regional or district notification to alert motorists of weather and

roadway conditions that do not meet the specifications for the Level activations. Examples

are fog, heavy rain with water pooling, passing snow showers or squalls, heat or cold index

issues or others conditions do not meet the criteria. There are specific procedures that are

activated due to these events.

Level 1 - A preliminary AccuWeather or National Weather Service (NWS) Warning is

issued for severe weather that will impact travel conditions on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Emergency crews may be working on the highway to clear travel lanes or drainage systems

in preparation for the weather conditions.

Level 2 – When weather conditions are increasing in severity that meet the plan criteria, are

impacting travel or include forecasts of a significant accumulation of snow or ice; water

pooling, flooding, high wind speeds, or extreme heat or cold. This level enables the clearance

of abandoned vehicles or PTC staff to assist travelers.

Level 3 – A weather incident that impacts the free flow of travel on the system or poses a

threat to the safety of employees or the traveling public. An example would be an

accumulation of ten inches of snow and snow fall rates of two to three inches per hour.

Turnpike and outside agencies will coordinate the restriction of vehicles from traveling the

PTC system and other PA roads, communicate the Commonwealth needs for managing

traffic flow and coordinate the required resources to minimize further emergencies.

Level 4 – After coordination with Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA)

and Penn DOT results in a decision to close sections of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and other

PA roadways across the Commonwealth.

Activations/Deactivations – All Weather Advisories and Level activations/deactivations

will be initiated by the Traffic Operations Center after communications with the Director of

Traffic Engineering and Operations and Director of Maintenance.


ROADWAY CONDITION DESCRIPTIONS

COMMON DESCRIPTIONS: In order to attain a common understanding of winter road conditions, the

following conditions and definitions have been established. These condition descriptions represent the

predominate condition of the road being reported.

Condition 1: Clear - Dry/wet pavement surface is maintained at all times.

This condition represents time periods when the pavement and air temperatures

are above freezing with or without precipitation. This condition may also exist

when temperatures are at or below freezing and traffic is able to maintain speeds

at or near posted limits. (An example would be during the cleanup phase of a

minor event when roads are wet and reports indicate they are freezing dry with

traffic speeds returning to normal.)

Condition 2: Wet with Freezing Conditions - Wet pavement surface is the general

condition with air temperatures near or below freezing. There are occasional areas

having snow or ice accumulations resulting from drifting, sheltering, cold spots,

frozen melt-water, etc.

This condition should be utilized during periods of precipitation when air and/or

pavement temperatures are at 34 degrees and are expected to drop to freezing or

below freezing during the course of the storm. This condition should also be used

when wet or light snow cover conditions are expected to persist for two or more

hours with freezing temperatures.

Condition 3: Snow and/or Slush Covered - Accumulations of loose snow or slush

are regularly found on the pavement surface. Light to moderate snow cover may

be present in some areas (up to 2 inches on secondary routes).

Some snow packed and/or icy conditions may be present but do not represent

predominate road conditions on the interstates. Reduced travel speeds may be

required due to slick road conditions.

Condition 4: Snow Packed / Significant Snow Cover - The pavement surface has

continuous stretches of packed snow with or without loose snow on top of

packed snow and ice. Significant snow accumulations are present in some areas

(2 – 5in).

This condition may become prevalent during periods of heavy snowfall. Speed

limit reductions and vehicle restrictions should be considered when this becomes

the predominate condition on the roadway.

Condition 5: Icy - The pavement surface is predominantly covered with ice and

packed snow. There may be loose snow or sleet on top of the icy or packed snow

surface.

This condition may be the result of sleet, freezing rain, snow melt or refreeze.

Reduced travel speeds may be necessary and motorist should be advised to limit

travel or travel at significantly reduced speeds until conditions improve.

Condition 6: Impassable - The road is temporarily impassable to most or all vehicles. This may be the result of

severe weather (low visibility, blowing snow, etc.) or road conditions [drifting, excessive unplowed snow (5+

inches), avalanche potential or actuality, glare ice, etc.]


Weather Advisory

Initial notification will occur to all departments as soon as alerts are received at the Traffic

Operations Center. Field notifications of weather conditions that do not meet the Plan Alert

Levels will be sent as an advisory to PA Turnpike Commission staff and State Police Troop

T to assure that all are communicating the resource needs.

Department of Traffic Engineering and Operations

1. The Director of Traffic Engineering and Operations; Director of Maintenance;

Director of Fare Collection; Captain of State Police Troop T; Chief of

Communications & Public Relations; Director of Facilities & Energy Management

Operations (FEMO); Chief Engineer and Executive Departments will be notified

via e-mail distribution list of the reported weather changes in travel conditions.

2. The Duty Officer will initiate polling. Weather polling will be initiated as needed

basis if conditions change to enable the monitoring of weather conditions that are

affecting each section.

3. The following message is the standard message to play on the permanent dynamic

message signs (DMS):

4. All regional or system-wide Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) devices,

Webpage and Emergency Notification System (ENS) affiliated with the plan will be

activated to warn motorists.

5. Activate Highway Advisory Radio’s as followed:

All travelers are urged to reduce their speeds and keep alert for changing travel

conditions and emergency crews working on the roadway. (Any specific information

relating to conditions or actions.)


Weather Advisory

Maintenance Department

1. Maintenance priority is to maintain the roadway surface in a safe travel condition.

Maintenance will work to prepare the system and personnel for the current weather.

Field personnel will clear drainage systems and roadways of debris. Field personnel

will prepare all by fueling equipment and taking other actions to prepare for

activation. Management will implement adequate staffing schedules.

2. Maintenance sheds are polled to provide current roadway conditions by selected

districts or regions. This information is to verify the roadway conditions, maintenance

actions, weather conditions and visibility.


1. Will monitor and report the roadway conditions.

2. Assist other agencies with Traffic Control.

FEMO

Service Plazas are to report any loss of services or power to the Traffic Operations

Center.

Fare Collection

Report any roadway obstructions or storm condition that would require assistance.

Toll Waiving

No action at this level is needed.

Communications & Public Relations


Engineering



Level I Storm Procedures

Initial notification will occur to all departments as soon as forecasts are received. These

forecasts are gathered from various sources but will be confirmed and coordinated with other

agencies such as PEMA, Penn DOT and State Police to assure that all are communicating the

resource needs.


1. The Director of Traffic Engineering and Operations; Director of Maintenance; ;

Traffic Incident Management Coordinator ; Director of Fare Collection; Captain of

State Police Troop T; Chief of Communications & Public Relations; Director of

Facilities & Energy Management Operations (FEMO); Chief Engineer and Executive

Departments will be notified of the weather forecast predicting significant changes in

travel conditions.

2. National Weather Service/AccuWeather alerts will be auto generated to a pre-

described distribution list.

3. Customer/Employee Safety Manager will be notified to ensure Safety Advisors

availability and deploy as needed.

4. PEMA and Penn DOT will be notified by the Turnpike Emergency Preparedness

Liaison Officer (EPLO) or their representative of preliminary efforts of the Turnpike

Commission to prepare for the upcoming weather emergency.

5. Will implement adequate Traffic Operations Center emergency weather schedules.

6. Weather polling will be initiated every 4 hours or as needed if conditions change to

monitor weather conditions that are predicted per section. Shed summary will be

added to the Emergency Notification System regional weather section for travel

alerts.

7. The following message is the standard message to play on the permanent dynamic

message signs (DMS):





All travelers are urged to reduce their speeds and keep alert for changing travel

conditions and emergency crews working on the roadway. (Any specific information

relating to conditions or actions)



Department of Traffic Engineering and Operations (continued)

10. Notifications will be made to Authorized Service Providers of the impending weather

4 to 6 hours prior to activation of Level 2 and place them on notice for possible

activation of Abandoned Vehicle Procedures Title 67, 601.15A, Page 9, Rules and

Regulations.

11. A storm/weather call will be initiated as requested by The Director of Traffic

Engineering and Operations or Director of Maintenance and include designees from

other departments. Personnel may participate by conference call or in person in the

Traffic Operations Center Conference (War) Room. Attendees will include

Operations, Safety, Maintenance, Fare Collection, State Police Troop T,

Communications & Public Relations, FEMO, Engineering and Executive

Departments.


1. Maintenance priority is to maintain the roadway surface in a safe travel condition. At

Level 1, Maintenance will work to prepare the system and personnel for the current

weather. Field personnel will clear drainage systems and roadways of debris. Field

personnel will prepare all by fueling equipment and taking other actions to prepare

for activation. Management will implement adequate staffing schedules.

2. Weather polling will be initiated to sheds from operations center every 4 hours or as

needed if conditions change to monitor weather conditions that are predicted per

section. This information is to verify the roadway conditions, maintenance actions,

weather conditions and visibility.





2. Will implement adequate staffing schedules.

FEMO

1. Contact PTC Concessionaires and HMS Host to prepare Plaza’s parking lots to be

cleared of snow or debris. Contact:

a. PTC’s Concessions Services Supervisor

2. Service Plazas are to report any loss of services or power to the Traffic Operations

Center.

3. FEMO will make the decision to staff the Traffic Operations Center console.

4. FEMO will prepare for staffing of administration buildings to include maintaining

service such as power, janitorial, water and supplies for the duration of the storm.

5. Prepare staff to check that generators are working properly and fueled. Report any

generator activations to the Traffic Operations Center.

Fare Collection

1. Verify that adequate supplies of sand bags and informational 1640 AM “pink” signs

are on hand.

Toll Waiving




Engineering

1. Identify any contractor construction activities that will impact field operations during

weather incidents. Have contractors submit to Traffic Operations Center emergency

contacts for 24/7 coverage due to storm on projects that could lead to debris or site

issues.

2. Contractors will check and verify that drainage systems and roadway are clear of

debris and construction signs are secured.


Level 2 Storm Procedures

Updated notifications will occur to all departments as soon as alerts are received. These alerts

are gathered from various sources to include State Police Troop T and Maintenance crews on

the roadway. Continued coordination with other agencies such as PEMA, Penn DOT and

State Police will assure that all are communicating the resource needs.


1. The Director of Traffic Engineering and Operations; Director of Maintenance;

Traffic Incident Management Coordinator ; Director of Fare Collection; Captain of

State Police Troop T; Chief of Communications & Public Relations; Director of

FEMO; Chief Engineer and Executive Departments will be notified of the weather

forecast predicting significant changes in travel conditions.

2. Any National Weather Service/AccuWeather updates, warnings, advisories, special

statements and forecasts will be broadcast to the field operations along with a

summary of the field unit reports.

3. Customer/Employee Safety Manager will be notified to ensure Safety Advisors

availability and deploy as needed.

4. PEMA and Penn DOT (Area Command Representative 717-783-5437) will be

notified by the Turnpike EPLO or their representative of the continued efforts of the

Turnpike Commission actions for the weather emergency. The PEMA staff will also

evaluate the need to staff the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). Once the

PTC staff is located at the State EOC, all communications between the Turnpike and

PEMA are to be communicated through the PTC EPLO and the Traffic Operations

Center for both outgoing and incoming resource requests.

5. Will implement adequate Traffic Operations Center emergency weather schedules.

6. If Maintenance console is not staffed, the Duty Officer will initiate polling. Weather

polling will be initiated every 2 hours or as needed if conditions change to monitor

weather conditions that are predicted per section. Polling can be by computer or radio

communications. Shed summary will be added to the Emergency Notification System

regional weather section for travel alerts.

7. The following message is the standard message to play on the permanent DMS signs:








All travelers are urged to reduce their speeds and keep alert for changing travel conditions

and emergency crews working on the roadway. Do not attempt to pass Turnpike trucks

plowing or servicing the highway. Motorists operating trucks, campers and vehicles pulling

trailers, your vehicles may become unstable during high wind conditions. . (any specific

information relating to roadway conditions)

10. The Duty Officer and Customer/Employee Safety Manager will advise activation of

the Abandoned Vehicle Procedures, Title 67, 601.15A, Page 9, Rules and

Regulations.

a. Notification will be made to Authorized Service Providers to standby for the

event at designated staging areas identified by PTC. Authorized Service

Provider coverage (one heavy wrecker per coverage area) may be requested to

standby at the following locations as weather dictates or as needed: Blue/Kitt

Tunnel, Kegg Maintenance, MP 99.9 (Laurel Highlands), Mahoning Valley

Interchange and Donegal Maintenance.

b. Notification to State Police Troop T for the activation of the Abandoned

Vehicle Policy and any potential vehicle restrictions, Title 67, 601.15A, Page

9, Rules and Regulations. Ensure State Police document the vehicle

information and tow location within CAD’s. All inquiries into where vehicles

are towed and why are referred to State Police.

11. The following procedures may be initiated (include a time of activation) in

conjunction with Communications & Public Relations Department’s media release.

Any of the following restrictions can be approved for activation and enforced through

Title 67, 601.15A, Page 9, Rules and Regulations.

c. All Class 9’s oversized vehicles are banned from travel.

d. Abandoned vehicles will be towed immediately.

e. Trucks and trailers are required to travel in right lane only in mountainous

areas.

f. Coordinate with Communications & Public Relations Department to create an

advisory that we may do a ban on commercial vehicles that are doubles, any

empty trailer, and personal vehicles towing trailers in preparation for move to

Level 3.

12. Initiate the communication to Maintenance and Fare Collections of the E-ZPASS

express lane closures in accordance with the Traffic Management Plan.




13. Contact CHART Maryland, Penn DOT District Traffic Management Centers (TMC),

Penn DOT Area Command Representative (717-783-5437), PEMA or any other

agency affiliated with distribution of the plan activated.

14. Coordinate PEMA/Penn DOT storm/weather calls as needed. Personnel may

participate by conference call or in person in the Operations Center Conference (War)

Room. Attendees will include Traffic Engineering and Operations, Maintenance,

Fare Collection, State Police Troop T, Communications & Public Relations, FEMO,

Engineering and Executive Departments.

15. Activate the PTC employee hotline. If needed.

Maintenance Department:

1. Maintenance priority is to maintain the roadway surface in a safe travel condition.

Constant Plow Trains may be activated to clear the roadway dependent upon snow

conditions. Plow Train operations will be communicated to the shed from the plow

trucks to enable coordination of trucks.

2. If Maintenance console is not staffed, the Duty Officer will initiate polling. Weather

polling will be initiated every 2 hours or on an as needed basis if conditions change to

enable the monitoring of impending weather conditions that are predicted per section.

Polling can be by computer or radio communications.

3. Requests for State Police Troop T escort for any plow trains need to be made 30

minutes in advance of the start of the plow train. This request is coordinated with

PSP barracks and maintenance shed at local level.

4. Assist in identifying abandoned vehicle locations to Traffic Operations Center so that

State Police Troop T can document the vehicle information and tow location after

removal.

5. Maintenance will, when personnel are available, respond and assist with traffic

control, incident management, and may be required to monitor the backlog in

conjunction with the State Police Troop T.

6. Report any facility power failures or generator activations to the Traffic Operations

Center.

8. Initiate the closure of Express E-ZPASS lanes in compliance with traffic management

plans as crews are available to do so.


Level 2 Storm Procedures State Police Troop T



3. Will escort plow trains as requested when patrols are available.

4. Will assist in the implementation of any traffic management plan.

5. Will provide a presence as needed to assist with ASP issues.

6. Will enforce – Abandoned Vehicles, Title 67, 601.15A, Page 9, Rules and

Regulations. CAD incident is generated for each abandoned vehicle removed and

documented where the vehicle has been towed.

7. Will assist with patrolling backlogs and assist motorists.

8. Will establish Incident Command, if necessary.

FEMO

1. Contact PTC Concessionaires and HMS Host to ensure Plaza’s parking lots are

cleared of snow or debris. Contact: PTC’s Concessions Services Supervisor


Center.


4. Implement staffing for administration buildings to include maintaining service such

as power, janitorial, water and supplies for the duration of the storm.

5. Check and verify generators are working properly and fueled. Report any generator

activations to the Traffic Operations Center.

Fare Collection

1. Deploys informational 1640 AM “pink” signs.

2. Prepares for reduced entry lanes as needed. (Single Lane Entry Procedures)

3. Activates InstAlert signs with 1640 AM information. (If available at location)

4. The Fare Collection Duty Officer for the affected district(s) will be the point of

contact and coordinate with other PTC departments and external police and fire

agencies, as needed, in the deployment of signs throughout the interchanges and the

implementation of the Single Lane Entry Procedure.



Toll Waiving

1. As conditions warrant, implement toll waiving as per PTC procedure. This will

include Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) procedures.

2. Requests for state emergency response or utility travel toll waiving or consolidated

billing purposes will go through PEMA, Operations Center and Fare Collection for

approval.


1. Prepare press release for travel conditions and for potential bans and restrictions

coordinated with Penn DOT Press Office. The following procedures may be initiated

(include a time of activation) in conjunction with Traffic Operations Center for any

media releases. Any of the following restrictions can be approved for activation and

enforced through Title 67, 601.15A, Page 9, Rules and Regulations.

a. All Class 9’s oversized vehicles are banned from travel.

b. Abandoned vehicles will be towed immediately.

c. Trucks and trailers are required to travel in right lane only in mountainous

areas.

d. Coordinate with Traffic Operations Center to prepare an advisory to announce

a ban on commercial vehicles that may include doubles, empty trailers,

vehicles towing trailers, and speed reductions in preparation for move to Level

3. In addition, it should include a reminder to motorist to drive according to

roadway conditions and DO NOT PASS PLOW TRAINS.

2. Ensure adequate staffing of the Turnpike’s Customer Assistance Center

Engineering

1. Identify any contractor construction activities that will impact field operations during

weather incidents. Have contractors submit to Traffic Operations Center emergency

contacts for 24/7 coverage due to storm on projects that could lead to debris or site

issues.

2. Contractors will check and verify that drainage systems and roadway are clear of

debris and construction signs are secured.



A weather incident that significantly impacts the free flow of travel on the system or poses a

threat to the safety of employees or the public denotes this level. An example would be an

accumulation of ten inches of snow and snowfall rates of two to three inches per hour.

Updated notifications will occur to all departments as soon as alerts are received. These

alerts are gathered from various sources to include PSP and Maintenance crews on the

roadway. The reports are analyzed by executive staff for the activation of travel restrictions

on the PTC system regional or system-wide. Continued coordination with other agencies

such as PEMA, Penn DOT and State Police will ensure that all are communicating the

resource needs.

Department of Operations, Safety, and Incident Response

1. The Director of Traffic Engineering and Operations; Director of Maintenance; Traffic

Incident Management Coordinator ; Director of Fare Collection; Captain of State

Police Troop T, Chief of Communications & Public Relations; Director of FEMO;

Chief Engineer and Executive Departments will be notified of the weather forecast

predicting significant changes in travel conditions.

2. Any National Weather Service/AccuWeather updates, warnings, advisories, special

statements and forecasts will be broadcast to the field operations along with a

summary of the field unit reports.

3. Customer/Employee Safety Manager and Safety Advisors will deploy as needed.




evaluate the need to staff the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Once the




5. Will implement adequate Traffic Operations Center emergency weather and elevated

operations schedules.

6. Weather polling will be initiated every hour and/or utilization of District radio calls to

enable the monitoring of impending weather conditions that are predicted per section.



Department of Operations, Safety, and Incident Response (continued)

7. The following message can be modified to play on the Permanent DMS signs during

Level 3 depending on any restrictions:

8. All regional or system-wide ITS devices, Webpage, and ENS affiliated with the plan

will be activated to warn motorists of the following travel restrictions in conjunction

with Communications & Public Relations Department media release.

9. Activate Highway Advisory Radio’s as follows to include any restrictions that may

apply per Director’s coordination with other departments. This may include numerous

options:

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is now operating under a Weather Emergency. Reduce your

travel speeds and drive according to roadway conditions. The following restrictions apply to

all travelers (List the restrictions) Do not attempt to pass Turnpike trucks plowing or

servicing the highway. All abandoned vehicles are being removed to allow crews to clear the

roadway.

10. The Duty Officer and Customer/Employee Safety Manager will advise activation of

the Abandoned Vehicle Procedures, Title 67, 601.15A, Page 9, Rules and

Regulations.

a. ASP will stand-by at designated locations in the region declared a weather

emergency as the weather dictates and as needed. These designated locations

include interchanges, Blue/Kitt Tunnel, Kegg Maintenance, MP 99.9 (Laurel

Highlands) and Donegal Maintenance.

b. Identify and establish staging locations for other needed resources.






b. Commercial trailers that are doubles and any empty trailer are banned from

travel.

c. All trailers towed behind personal vehicles are banned from travel.


Any speed restrictions, coordinated with PennDOT Incident Management

and/or press office.



Department of Operations, Safety, and Incident Response (continued)

12. Initiate the communication to Maintenance and Fare Collection of the E-ZPASS lane

closures in accordance with the Traffic Management Plan.

13. Contact CHART Maryland, PennDOT District TMC’s, PEMA or any other agency

affiliated with distribution of the plan activated.

14. Coordinate PEMA and Penn DOT storm/weather calls as needed. Personnel may

participate by conference call or in person in the Traffic Operations Center

Conference (War) Room. Attendees will include Traffic Engineering and Operations,

Maintenance, Fare Collection, State Police Troop T, Communications & Public

Relations, FEMO, Engineering and Executive Departments.

15. Activate the PTC employee hotline.


1. Maintenance priority is to maintain the roadway surface in a safe travel condition

Plow Train operations will be communicated to the shed from the plow trucks to

enable coordination of trucks.

2. Maintenance will make the decision when to staff the Traffic Operations Center

console. Weather polling will be initiated every hour and/or utilization of District

radio calls to enable the monitoring of impending weather conditions that are

predicted per section. This information is to verify the roadway conditions,

maintenance actions, weather conditions and visibility.

3. Requests for PSP escort for any plow trains need to be made 30 minutes in advance of

the start of the plow train. This request is coordinated with PSP barracks and

maintenance shed at local level.


State Police can document the vehicle information and tow location after removal.



Maintenance Department (continued)


control, incident management, and may be required to monitor the backlog in

conjunction with the State Police.


Center.

8. Will initiate the closure of E-ZPASS lanes in compliance with traffic management

plans.

9. When staff is available, assist Fare Collection in deploying Interchange Information

Signs prior to entry to Interchanges along with single lane entry signs.

10. Will establish Incident Command if necessary.






5. Will provide a presence as needed to assist with ASP issues.

6. Will enforce – Abandoned Vehicles Reference - Title 67, 601.15A, Page 9, Rules and

Regulations. CAD incident is generated for each abandoned vehicle removed and

documented where the vehicle has been towed.

7. Will assist with patrolling backlogs and trapped motorists. Verify stranded motorists

are cared for as needed.


FEMO

1. Contact PTC Concessionaires and HMS Host to ensure Plaza’s parking lots are

cleared of snow and debris. Contact:

PTC’s Concessions Services Supervisor


Center.



FEMO (continued)

3. FEMO will make the decision to staff the Operations Center console.

4. Implement staffing for administration buildings to include maintaining service such

as power, janitorial, water and supplies for the duration of the storm.

5. Ensure generators are working properly and fueled. Report any generator activations

to the Operations Center.

6. The accommodations of employee’s for long durations of work will need to be

considered. This would include lodging, food and drink.

Fare Collection

1. Will restrict Class 9’s, double trailers, empty commercial trailers, personal vehicles

towing trailers from entry when instructed to do so by executive staff.

2. Will assist in identifying abandoned vehicles at Interchange locations.

3. Will continue to monitor the roadway and traffic conditions and report changes to

Traffic Operations Center and request Traffic Control assistance from Maintenance

and PSP.

4. Will implement the single lane entry procedures. Initiate mixed mode E-ZPASS lane.

E-ZPASS only lanes will be closed by Fare Collection in accordance with plans when

staff can safely do so. Maintenance will assist when staff is available.

4. Will deploy Interchange Information Signs at end of ramp. Off pike resources and

Maintenance will assist when staff is available. The Fare Collection Duty Officer for

the affected district(s) will be the point of contact and coordinate with other PTC

departments and external police and fire agencies, as needed, in the deployment of

signs throughout the interchanges and the implementation of the Single Lane Entry

Procedure.

6. Will monitor and report any generator uses and fuel levels at the interchanges to

Traffic Operations Center.

Toll Waiving




billing purposes will go through PEMA, Traffic Operations Center and Fare

Collection for approval.




1. Prepare press release for travel conditions and for potential bans and restrictions

coordinated with Penn DOT Press Office. The following procedures may be initiated

(include a time of activation) in conjunction with Traffic Operations Center for any

media releases. Any of the following restrictions can be approved for activation and

enforced through Title 67, 601.15A, Page 9, Rules and Regulations.


b. Abandoned vehicles will be towed immediately.

c. Trucks and trailers are required to travel in right lane only in mountainous

areas.

d. Coordinate with Traffic Operations Center to prepare an advisory that

announces a ban on commercial vehicles that may include doubles, any

empty trailer, and vehicles towing trailers, and speed reductions. In addition, it

should include a reminder to motorists to drive according to roadway

conditions, and DO NOT PASS PLOW TRAINS.

2. Ensure adequate staffing of the Turnpike’s Customer Assistance Center

Engineering

1. Engineering will be on call as needed.


Level 4 Storm Procedure

Updated notifications will occur to all departments as soon as received. These notifications

are gathered from various sources to include PSP and Maintenance crews on the roadway.

The reports are analyzed by executive staff for the closure or additional restrictions on the

PTC system regional or system-wide. Continued coordination with other agencies such as

PEMA, Penn DOT and State Police will ensure that all are communicating the resource

needs.


1. The Director of Traffic Engineering and Operations; Director of Maintenance; Traffic

Incident Management Coordinator ; Director of Fare Collection; Captain of State

Police Troop T; Chief of Communications & Public Relations; Director of FEMO;

Chief Engineer and Executive Departments will be notified of the weather forecast

predicting significant changes in travel conditions.

2. National Weather Service alerts will be distributed via the Incident Notification and

Emergency Notification Systems. Any National Weather Service updates and/or

forecasts will be broadcast to the field operations along with a summary of the field

unit reports via the radio.




evaluate the need to staff the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Once the




4. Will continue to operate under Traffic Operations Center emergency weather and

elevated operations schedules.

5. Maintenance will staff the Traffic Operations Center console. Weather polling will

be initiated every hour or on an as needed basis if conditions change to enable the

monitoring of impending weather conditions that are predicted per section.

6. The following message is the standard message to play on the Permanent VMS signs:



Department of Traffic Engineering and Operations ( continued)

7. All regional or system-wide ITS devices, Webpage, and ENS affiliated with the plan

will be activated to warn motorists of the following travel restrictions and highway

closures in conjunction with Communications & Public Relations Department media

release. Any of the following restrictions can be approved for activation and enforced

through Title 67, 601.15A, Page 9, Rules and Regulations.



travel.



8. Activate Highway Advisory Radio’s as follows depending on restrictions and actions:

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is now operating under a Weather Emergency. The following

ROADWAY CLOSURES and restrictions apply to all travelers. The highway is closed between

Interchange #___and Interchange #___. (List restrictions) Do not attempt to pass Turnpike

trucks plowing or servicing the highway. All abandoned vehicles are being removed from the

Turnpike to allow crews to clear the roadway. (any specific information relating to conditions)

9. Contact CHART Maryland, Penn DOT District TMC’s, PEMA or any other agency

affiliated with distribution of the plan activated.

10. Coordinate PEMA and Penn DOT storm/weather calls as needed. Personnel may

participate by conference call or in person in the Traffic Operations Center

Conference (War) Room. Attendees will include Operations, Safety, Maintenance,

Fare Collection, State Police Troop T, Communications & Public Relations, FEMO,

Engineering and Executive Departments.

11. Activate the PTC employee hotline if needed.


1. Maintenance priority is to maintain the roadway surface in a travel condition. Plow

Train operations will be communicated to the shed to enable coordination of trucks.

2. Maintenance will make the decision when to staff the Operations Center console.

Weather polling will be initiated every hour and/or utilization of District radio calls to

monitor of weather conditions that are predicted per section. This information is to

verify the roadway conditions, maintenance actions, weather conditions and visibility.


Level 4 Storm Procedure Maintenance Department (continued)

3. If instructed by executive staff or Director of Maintenance, ensure selected safety

message on the portable DMS at maintenance sheds and designated locations are

activated. (Position portable DMS at mountainous areas for climbing lanes.)

4. Requests for PSP escort for any plow trains need to be made 30 minutes in advance of

the start of the plow train. This request is coordinated with PSP barracks and

maintenance shed at local level.


State Police can document the vehicle information and tow location after removal.


control, roadway closures, incident management, and may be required to monitor the

backlog in conjunction with the State Police.


Center.

8. Will initiate the closure of E-ZPASS Express lanes.

9. When staff is available, assist Fare Collection in deploying Interchange Information

Signs prior to entry to Interchanges along with single lane entry signs. (The entry of

traffic must be controlled as to refuse admittance to travel on sections of the

roadway.)



1. Will assist in the closure of designated ramps and roadways both PTC and Penn

DOT.


3. Will maintain adequate staffing schedules.




Level 4 Storm Procedure State Police Troop T (continued)

6. Will enforce – Abandoned Vehicles Reference - Title 67, 601.15A, Page 9, Rules and

Regulations.

7. Will assist with patrolling backlogs and trapped motorists. Verify stranded motorists

are cared for as needed.


FEMO 1. Contact PTC Concessionaires and HMS Host to ensure Plaza’s parking lots are

cleared of snow and debris. Contact: PTC’s Concessions Services Supervisor


Center.


4. Maintain staffing for administration buildings to include maintaining service such as

power, janitorial, water and supplies for the duration of the storm.

5. Ensure generators are working properly and fueled. Report any generator activations

to the Traffic Operations Center.

6. The accommodations of employee’s for long durations of work will need to be

considered. This would include lodging, food and drink.

Fare Collection

1. Restrict all traffic from entering at designated Toll Facilities where the highway has

been deemed closed for travel. This would require that all entry lanes be closed. The

Fare Collection Duty Officer for the affected district(s) will be the point of contact

and coordinate with other PTC departments and external police and fire agencies, as

needed, in the deployment of signs throughout the interchanges and the

implementation of the Single Lane Entry Procedure.

2. Adjacent Interchanges in the region of closed sections of PTC highway will continue

the single lane entry procedure to alert travelers of sections closed for travel.

3. Closure of PTC exiting lanes will be initiated at designated Interchanges due to Penn

DOT road closures that intersect with the PTC highway.

4. Will notify the Traffic Operations Center of any changing conditions and request

Traffic Control assistance from off-Turnpike resources, Maintenance and PSP.

5. Will deploy Interchange Information Signs at end of ramp. Off-Turnpike resources

and Maintenance will assist when staff is available.



Fare Collection (continued)

6. Will monitor and report any generator uses and fuel levels at the interchanges to

Traffic Operations Center.

7. Establish Incident Command, if needed.

Toll Waiving




billing purposes will go through PEMA, Traffic Operations Center and Fare

Collection for approval.








travel.



Any speed restrictions, coordinated with PennDOT Incident Management and/or

press office.

2. Maintain adequate staffing of the Turnpike’s Customer Assistance Center

Engineering

1. Engineering will be on call as needed.

Documents

PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE COMMISSION · 4. Emergency Traffic Stoppage beginning at MM 132.2W of the Turnpike’s Mainline System At approximately 9:07 PM, Kegg Maintenance staff stopped